** NORTHVILLIANS,
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In this week’s letter, I will write about Black History Month (February) which is winding down, and I will highlight some historic Northville touchpoints and the people who have made a difference.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans in the United States. It honors people from all periods of U.S. history. This observance originated in the U.S. in 1969 and migrated to other countries.

Along with recognizing some local individuals, I will point to contributions surrounding the heroic network known as the “Underground Railroad.” One estimate suggests that before 1850, a hundred thousand people escaped to freedom via this travel system and perhaps close to forty thousand passed through Northville on their way to Canada.

Before we look at Black History Month activities, let's see what's going on today!
* Mill Race Village – Support the Historical Society by becoming a member (Link ([link removed]) ), engraving a brick (Link ([link removed]) ), or making or buying a pie for the Pi Day celebration (Link ([link removed]) ).
* Interurban Street Car in Northville Lecture – 2/26, 7pm, Mill Race Village Link ([link removed])
* Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury Farm – Weekends, 3/8 - 3/30 Link ([link removed])
* “English” at Tipping Point Theatre begins 3/12 (Link ([link removed]) )
* Senior Shamrock Shindig at the Community Center – 3/14, 11:30am Link ([link removed])
* Declan’s Dance: A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – 3/15, 7-11:30pm @ Marquis Theatre, featuring Maggie McCabe & Gerard Smith, O’Hare Irish Dancers, and the Shawn Riley Band. All proceeds and donations go to the Ford Field Playground via the Declan Carter Foundation. Donate (Link ([link removed]) ) or buy Tickets (Link ([link removed]) )
* City of Northville Ford Field Playground for the Future Initiative… Contribute to a state matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Link ([link removed]) ), as featured in The Northville Record (Link ([link removed]) ) and on WWJ 950.

INFO FOR CITIZENS
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
* Ford Field – Phase I (Winter): Construction of water fall area (Serenity Point) is half way done @ Ford Field, Phase II (Spring) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase & ADA entrance, play structure (See Above) & in ‘26 - Bathrooms.
* Riverwalk – Retention Pond & Riverbed constructed @ Downs (rocks/timbers being added). Historic Log Cabin positioned, and other sections being engineered.
* Downs Initiative – North: Streets/Curbs poured along with foundations for apartment building & other structures set. South: Townhome models being built & streets laid out.
* Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link ([link removed])

TASK FORCE MEETINGS
* Cemetery Restoration Task Force – Meeting 3/10 @ City Hall 7PM. Stop to see progress at Oakwood Cemetery. Contact Dave Marold for info [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
* Bicentennial Task Force – Meeting 3/19 @ City Hall 7PM. Volunteers welcome to join teams (Marketing, PR, History, Dosen’s, other) For info - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Let's look at notable Black History Month contributions...
I would like to first recognize some individuals that are part of our local DNA …

John Lewis – Michigan’s Last Civil War Vet
* In the Northville area, John Lewis was a storied Civil War veteran. According to the Northville Record, the Lewis family fled the South before the Civil War and stayed at the Ambler Underground Railroad Station (one of potentially 5 stations in Northville, including the Starkweather Farm, Meads Mill, the Cady Inn and the Wagon Wheel).
* The Lewis Family took up residence in the Northville School District area closer to Salem.
* John Lewis felt compelled to enlist in Pontiac’s first African American Division during the Civil War. He ultimately fought at Gettysburg.

Joe Louis – World’s Heavyweight Boxing Champion
* Joe Louis (Joseph Louis Barrow) put our town on the map in the 1930’s when he trained in Northville. At the time, the town was a nucleus of boxing in the Detroit area, with a private full-time indoor ring on the third floor of a residence on Wing Street.
* The “Brown Bomber” (as he was called) was hosted by Northville Downs to prepare for a fight in 1939 when he was defending his championship crown for the eighth time (since first winning the title in 1937). An indoor boxing ring was built at the Downs, complete with grandstands for observers to watch Joe Louis in action. The match was against Bob Pastor at Tiger Stadium (Briggs Field), where Joe won with a knockout.
* It was acknowledged in The Record that Joe Louis stayed at a Northville estate on 8 Mile and also spent time in the same vicinity where Living & Learning is today.
* The Record mentioned that residents embraced Joe and his Team. He was often seen running, walking, and socializing in town. He was considered a true Northvillian.

Routes on the Underground Railroad that came through Northville …
* One route of the Network came from the south (through Ohio to Ypsilanti and then down Seven Mile into Northville). Another came into Michigan from Indiana and Illinois, using the I-94 corridor from Battle Creek, Albion, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and finally into Northville. The journey then continued on to Detroit and eventually Canada.

STATIONS IN NORTHVILLE mentioned through time:
THE AMBLER HOTEL – Great White Buffalo Brewing Company (today) - Main/Center.
* During the 1800’s, the Ambler Hotel was a bustling stop on the Underground Railroad.

THE CADY INN (Circa 1831, moved to Mill Race Village in 1987).
* One of the oldest buildings in town, it functioned as both an Inn & a stagecoach stop. Prior to 1869, the southern entrance to town was by way of Cady St.

THE STARKWEATHER FARM
* The Starkweather homestead on 7 Mile west of Beck (Stonewater subdivision today) was also a significant stop on the network. The weather-beaten barn in the center of their property stood for over 150 years and was a stopover on the journey to freedom.
* According to a 1963 article in The Record, Ruth Starkweather spoke about stories passed down generationally regarding how her family assisted folks trying to get to Canada. Mr. Starkweather Sr. strongly believed in equality for all and had fought in the Civil War. The farm’s original stone fence on the south side of 7 Mile, just west of Beck Road, still stands today.

MEADS MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
* In the 6 Mile & Northville Road area, a group of homes were part of the Underground Railroad system. Back then, that area of the Northville community was vibrant with their own train station. The Mead Brothers’ mill was that area’s stimulus economically.

WAGON WHEEL HOTEL (Northville Road)
* The Wagon Wheel Hotel & stagecoach stop was rumored to be a station on the network with a tunnel from the river to the basement.

I am extremely proud of all Northvillians, both today and throughout history, who have treated all in our society with equality, integrity, respect, and the highest degree of ethics. Northville is truly a special place, and these principles have been part of our DNA for nearly 200 years.

Keep that Northville Faith and let's keep moving forward together helping others!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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